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Keloids Growing Back After Removal

asked 2 years ago by MISS A in inglewood, ca
Latest answer by Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Question viewed 4,708 times
Tags: keloid scar

I have keloids that were surgically removed. Within a year, they grew back even larger. If I get them removed again, will they keep growing back? What causes this?

10 answers to Keloids Growing Back After Removal

Keloid - how to prevent them from growing back.

Keloids do recur with some frequency. Surgery alone may only be successful half the time. If this is your 2nd attempt, I would strongly suggest you add compression therapy, steroid therapy and radiation therapy to the regimen. Even despite all this, it may still come back, but the likelihood diminishes considerably. 1) Compression earings: For a good year - worn all the time (except for showering) 2) Steroid injections: Once every 4-6 weeks.... more

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Treatment for Recurrent Keloids

Thank you for your question. Keloids are formed as a result of irregular, dense collagen redistribution after injury or surgery and have a high recurrence rate. Ways to help minimize the rate of recurrence following surgical removal of keloids are steroid injections at the time of removal and subsequently at 4 week intervals, silicone sheeting, and pressure dressings. Other common treatment options for recurrent keloids are cryotherapy (freezing), radiation, and laser treatment... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Keloid scar recurrence

Keloids do have a high recurrence rate. Surgery is not an end-all cure for keloids. I would advise you to undergo a similar procedure followed by a closer follow-up.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Keloid and Removal

Removal of keloids is very difficult task. Some patients are more prone to developing keloids and some areas are more at risk, like the earlobe, shoulder, upper back, midline of the chest. Keloids typically run in the family and it is a problem with wound healing. So just by excising it, yes likely it will come back. There are some special things that can be done like steroid injections at the time of removal with follow ups every 6 weeks. Also radiation to the area as well as... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Persistent keloids

Keloids have a biologic behavior much similar to tumors. Excision alone often time leads to recurrence. The next incision should be accompanied by a corticosteroid injection at the time of removal, as well as corticosteroid injections every 4-6 weeks for the next 3-6 months. You should also wear a compression earring all day and night if the keloid is on your earlobe. Should that be unsuccessful, the next treatment can incorporate fractionated external beam radiation treatment. Over 3-4... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

We wish we had the answers

I've written a paper on keloids and no one to date really knows how to control their growth and prevent recurrence. Its probably worth another try. This time consider intraoperative steroids, postoperative compression and steroids every month for at least 3 months, The use of 5 FU is anectodal and may be an option. Do not pierce the ears again and if you consider ever doing this use pure metals such as gold only and avoid alloys which may contain nickel which triggers allergic reactions... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Steroid injections Needed

This happens quite frequently. In fact I saw a patient this afternoon with the same story. It is very important that steroids be injected into the keloid on a regular basis. ( Curiously her physician told her that her keloid on her ear did not need steroid injections). You should be assiduous in having this done. I also find that the steroid should be Kennalog 10 and not weaker. There is some evidence that compression, if the keloid involved the ear, helps. There is evidence... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Excision, kenolog injection, compression, and radiation for severe keloids

Keloids have a tendency for reccurence. The reccurence rate decreases with using kenolog intralesional injection intra operative as well as post operative. In severe cases radiation could be used. External compression and silicone sheets are very useful as well. Best of luck!

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Keloid recurrence

Keloids generally have a high recurrence rate after surgical removal. Some people simply have a genetic tendency to form excessive scar tissue in response to trauma. Sometimes certain additional measures including cortisone/5-fluorouracil injectdions postoperatively, application of Aldara cream and compression (for ear-lobe keloids) can reduce the risk of recurrence. Good luck.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

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